I am looking to buy a 2017 Unlimited Rubicon w/ auto trans and installing 2.5" AEV lift. AEV says that will accommodate 35" tires. Shop says u need 3.5" lift for 35s. Who is right? Should I order 4.10 gearing to maintain stock drivability? What wheel back spacing donInneed?

 

4.88 or 4.56 gears
4.25 BS
2.5" of lift is fine. A lot of people are running this set-up

Hope this helps.

 

AEV is right and yes get 4.10's. I have a 2.5" aev with toyo 35's and 4.10's. If I had to do it over again I would get a lift that had a bit better articulation. I installed mine a couple of weeks ago on a new jkr and just got back from Moab and definitely does not articulate as well as the RK lift I had on my 14. My buddy has a aev 3.5 and it does better articulating. I thought my elect disco was not working and already run jks flex links so I just pulled them off and no difference. It rides nice on roads and easier trails tho.

 

2.5 is definitely fine unless you're planning serious rock crawling. Lower COG the better. If you don't care about MPG, 5.13s with 35s is a whole lotta fun :-)

 

2014, 3.73 gears, aev 2.5, 315/70r17's measure to 34.5.. perfectly fine in Colorado and in Moab.. can do just about anything within reason.. I'm very happy with it. I will regear eventually. But I drive mountain passes and have plenty of power on the trails. Plenty of articulation with it disconnected.. great road manners.

 

2007 auto with 4.10 gears. Teraflex 2.5 coils+shocks and 35's. No issue with power vs the 33's I just had, and plenty of room for the wheels and tires with 4.5 backspaceing.

If your articulation became so crazy it rubs, you could always get flat fenders. Def worth sticking to 2.5 vs 3.5 to give the driveshaft and stock control arms better geometry. You might want adjustable trackbars to center the axles.